rushed into the thickest of the enemy, because the oracle had declared that, if their king should be slain, Athens would be victorious. Menaceus is not passed over, who, in obedience to the command of the oracle, poured out his blood for his country; and Iphigenia at Aulis orders herself to be slain, that she may draw forth the blood of the enemy by her own. XLIX. Then they come to times nearer to them. Harmodius and Aristogeiton are on their lips. The Lacedemonian Leonidas, the Theban Epamidondas are fresh in mind. They did not know the example we have furnished. To enumerate would take a long time so many are they who thought death with glory desirable.

Though these things are so, yet we must use great eloquence; and discourse as it were from a higher place, so that men may begin to desire death, or at least cease to fear it. For if that last day brings not annihilation, but only a change of place, what more desirable? But if it destroys and annihilates altogether, what better fate than to fall asleep in the midst of the labors of life, and so shutting the eyes to be lulled into an eternal rest? If it be so, the saying of Ennius is better than that of Solon. For the first says, "Let no one lament me with tears, nor make my funeral rites with lamentations." While he, so truly wise, says, "Let not my death want tears; may I leave sadness for my loss to my friends, and may they celebrate my burial with grief."

But if it could happen to me that my death should be foretold by a god, joyfully, and with thanksgiving would I obey, esteeming myself about to be freed from prison, and loosened from my chains, either to return to a home which is eternal and plainly our own, or to be free from all sensation and trouble. But if no indication of that event shall be given, let us, however, be of that mind, that we may regard a day so fearful to others, as happy and propitious to ourselves; and let us consider nothing as an evil which is appointed by the immortal gods, or by nature the parent of all things. For not at random and by chance were we formed and created, but certainly by a power which would consult the happiness of the human race, nor would produce or sustain that which, when it had exhausted every hardship, should encounter the woes of eternal death. Let us rather think, a harbor and place of refuge is prepared for us. Pray heaven we may arrive there with wide-spread sails! But if adverse winds throw us back, VOL. XXXIII. 3D S. VOL. XV. NO. III.

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still we shall arrive there, though a little more slowly. But can that which is inevitable to all be miserable to one? You have my epilogue, unless you think something has been omitted.

A. I have, indeed; and it has made me firmer than ever.

M. Very well, say I. But now, indeed, let us give something to health. But to-morrow, and every day we stay in Tusculanum, let us discuss these questions, especially those which may lighten our pain, remove our fears, and moderate our passions; which are the richest fruits of all philosophy.

J. N. B.

THE INSANE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

THERE are at this moment a large number of Lunatics in the Alms Houses and Jails of this Commonwealth. The thought is serious and sad to contemplate. Disease should be met with pity, not with punishment; and of all diseases, surely there is none more worthy of compassion than that under which the Lunatic suffers. How melancholy the thought of a blank, bewildered, and frantic brain; and that one thus bereft should be cast into a miserable cell and fettered in irons, seems inhuman. In a former day the idea of being able to restore the insane to health appears hardly to have entered the mind. For us there are other views. The wonderful success of many asylums has clearly proved what kindness, comfort, and judicious treatment may accomplish.

Few scenes can be more painful than those presented in some of our Alms Houses and Jails, owing to the deplorable situation of the Lunatics therein confined. We speak not now of what might have been seen fifteen or twenty years ago, but of what may be seen at this very day. Not many miles from the capital of the State is a poor Lunatic who has been chained for the last twenty years. The iron bracelet is screwed about each ancle, while both feet have been so frozen that nothing but the stumps remain. There the poor creature with his tangled gray hair hanging over his eyes, sleeps by night upon straw, and by day sits laughing in frantic mirth, goaded at

times into maniac ferocity by his confinement. In the room below is an unfortunate female chained in the same manner, at times excited by the ravings above, and at others, by the jests of the passers by.

Connected with another asylum is a small building standing by itself. From that low edifice may be heard wild cries, snatches of hymns, songs, curses, prayers. On opening the door you behold, caged, a young woman; she sleeps upon the floor over which straw is scattered. There through the cold winter she lives, if living it may be called, and at all times may be heard her mutterings and screams.

At another Alms House, in a low, narrow cell, crouches a man in middle life. There is no bed in the apartment, the atmosphere is offensive, and here, trembling with weakness, shivering with cold, pale and emaciated, you may behold the victim of disease and despair.

At another place may be seen eighteen bereft of reason, in varied conditions of misery; and in the Jail of Middlesex there are confined more than twenty idiots and insane. What crime have they committed? Why should they be there? One poor creature has frequent epileptic convulsions, and is wasted away nigh unto death. Is a Jail a fitting place for him? Shall these unfortunate fellow-beings continue thus through life?—The thief is condemned for a stated time, and with a series of months or years comes his release. But when does the Lunatic gain release? Not until he is cured; and the very manner of his confinement is a guarantee that that can be, never. The longer the insane remain without proper medical care, the more deeply rooted becomes the disease, and the more aggravated its character.

W have alluded to a few individual cases. There are from 300 to 500 of such cases in the Commonwealth of lunatics not properly provided for, and very many of whom absolutely suffer. Their situation is one of great severity, and Humanity cries aloud for their relief. They are now in places which were never intended to meet their wants. The keepers of the houses where they are placed may do all in their power, but they speak freely and earnestly of their inadequacy to keep the insane comfortable, and to secure them any prospect of a recovery. They may be found in cages, in cold sheds, in dark and damp cellars. They may be found in wretched destitution, stripped of their garments, and in the midst of filth. We

desire not to exaggerate. The case is bad enough as it is, and needs not be made worse. The persons under whom these miserable beings are placed are not expected to understand much, or anything of proper medical treatment. They are furnished with no fitting accommodations, and desire, as much as any persons, that these sufferers should be placed elsewhere. Let it be remembered that hundreds are thus situated, and then conceive of the anguish which is daily experienced; and let it be asked and answered, is it to the honor of Massachusetts that such things should be allowed to continue?

Massachusetts has already done much in the philanthropic work of rescuing from misery this unhappy class. No State in the Union has done so much. Previous to 1818, though there might have been private asylums, there was no public Hospital for Lunatics in the Commonwealth. At that time the sufferings of the insane awakened such attention and interest, that the McLean Asylum was established. This noble institution commenced its work in the midst of doubt and discouragement. Many believed that the disease was incurable, and some, even among the medical profession, agreed in that opinion. This institution was considered an experiment, but the experiment was one of entire success. The Hospital was soon full, and more patients applied than could be received. Many were restored, and returned in health to their friends. This institution has prospered beyond the most sanguine expectation of its warmest friends. During 1841, two hundred and eighty-three patients had received the benefit of the institution within the year, about one hundred and fifty being accommodated at any one time. During the twenty-four years of its operation, two thousand and thirteen lunatics have been received within its walls; and of these, four hundred and fifty-six have been partially relieved, and eight hundred and seventy-seven restored to complete health. The successive labors of Drs. Wyman, Lee, and Bell, have given this institution a high character. The first individual labored as its superintendent for seventeen years, and did much to establish the character of the asylum. Dr. Lee died soon after he entered upon his labors, and Dr. Bell for the last six years has, by his professional skill and indefatigable zeal, fully sustained its well deserved reputation.

In this Institution strait waistcoats, handcuffs, and chains are all laid aside, and it is found that order is most successfully preserved under affectionate treatment. The inmates are led

to understand, that if they comply with the mild laws of the place and exercise self-control, they will enjoy extended privileges; and with this prospect, and under these influences, they are quickened into self-respect and gentle obedience. This institution was among the first that had the courage to try the experiment of mechanical labor; and although, since the introduction of employment, heavy and sharp tools have been placed in the hands of many hundreds, not one accident has occurred.

This admirably conducted institution has been a source of inestimable good, and reflects the highest honor upon that part of our community who have given it encouragement and aid.*

In 1830 another Institution, the first of the kind in the country, was established. This was to be expressly for poor and imprisoned lunatics. Its plan was conceived in the spirit of true philanthropy. Great exertions were made by several individuals; and perhaps to no one is the country more indebted than to the Hon. Horace Mann, now the Secretary of the Board of Education. Were this the only noble achievement of his life, he would not have lived in vain; and the thought of that Humane Asylum will long be associated with his name. It was the expressed desire of the Board of Commissioners at that time, that all Lunatics then in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth should be removed to this asylum; and in 1833 the Governor issued a proclamation to this effect. Whether this was literally answered in all the counties we do not know — but a great change was brought about.

Ten years have passed since the doors of this Institution were opened, and from that moment it has taken a strong hold upon the sympathies of the community. The energy and skill of those who have presided over it have been such as to gain the confidence of the public, and the highest regard of the most eminent men. The individual at its head, both by his uniform kindness, his calm determination, and consummate medical knowledge, has justly gained a reputation second to none in the country-perhaps it might safely be said -second to none in the world. Within nine years this institution has received and taken care of 1,359 lunatics have been restored to health and usefulness.

of these, 588 Of this number

* The expense to patients in this Hospital is $3,50 per week for residents of the State- and $4,50 per week for residents of other states. As this is not a Charity Hospital, none are admitted except such as can pay.